Ulysses Grant had plenty of notable accomplishments, as well as failures. To name a few, the Treaty of Washington in 1871, the Resumption of Specie Act in 1875, and the enforcement of Civil Rights of African Americans in reconstruction states. However during Grant's presidency, his administration suffered from scandals caused by many corruptions, and from the ruined economy during the Panic of 1873. For these reasons, Grant deserves a C for his terms as President.
Grant's goals as President were to establish civil rights for all Americans, especially African Americans. Grant wanted to make sure that the federal government protect the newly freed slaves, and prevent former Confederates from regaining power in the South. In addition, he wanted to help the Republican party survive in the South, which was unreachable without black votes. He wanted to meet the needs of newly freed slaves, and at the same time wanted to get the South back into the Union and the Republican party. However, he had severe difficulty in achieving these goals. Many Americans rejected civil rights for blacks. Although the Union supported abolishing slavery in the war, they still didn't see blacks as equals. If he used federal troops to defend the rights of blacks, whites got mad stating he was violating states' rights. However, that went against his personal goals to abandon the freed slaves and Republican party in the South. In other words, he was in a no win situation.
Grant had a decent relationship with Congress during his Presidency. Grant believed in the Jacksonian Democracy, which means that he didn't see the need for a stronger executive branch, but rather relied on state governments and Congress. After the Panic of 1873, Congress passed the Inflation Bill in 1874. This bill would give $100,000,000 to the nation's money supply. Grant unexpectedly vetoed the bill saying it would destroy credit of the nation. In total, Grant vetoed 93 bills, 4 of which were overridden. The house and the senate had a majority of Republicans until the 45th Congress, the Democrats controlled the House. Overall, Grant had an okay relationship with Congress.
Grant's action with the most positive outcome had to the the Treaty of Washington in 1871. The main purpose of the treaty was to solve the damages done to merchants by three Confederate war ships which were made under the British. These ships had done a copious amount of damage to American merchant ships during the Civil War which caused relations between the U.S. and Great Britain to be severely strained. The treaty gave the United States $15,500,000, as well as ending a threat of war with the United Kingdom, settling the border dispute between the U.S. and Canada, and also settling border disputes over fishing rights in the North Pacific. Overall, the treaty showed countries that there were alternatives to through arbitration and international law.
Grant's action with the most negative outcome were all of the scandals that occurred during his Presidency. President Grant wasn't involved directly with the scandals, but some of the Congressman and Cabinet members that he appointed were involved. Grant would often attack when people would complain about his Congressman and Cabinet members. These people's complaints should have been taken into account considering the scandals that later occurred. Grant favored military associates from the war, over talented and experienced politicians. There were 11 scandals during Grant's two terms as President. One of the most important ones was the Credit Mobilier Scandal. This scandal occurred as a result of Congressman Aimes and McComb fighting. One of the main contributors to many of these scandals was Grant's personal secretary, Orville Babcock. Grant defended Babcock since they were friends, which caused many Americans to resent President Grant.
The decision made by Grant's administration that most influenced later American generations was the ratification of the 15th Amendment. During this time, this Amendment gave all men the right to vote no matter what race or religion they were. This amendment also caused more to talk about women getting the right to vote, which obviously occurred years later. Today, any U.S. citizen, no matter what race, male or female, may vote as long as they are 18 years of age or older. Seeing as this amendment still stands true today, one can see how this amendment strongly influenced America in years to come.
In conclusion, America was better off after Grant's Presidency. Although there were scandals, this was a lesson learned for future American Presidents to be cautions of who they pick as their Congressman and Cabinet members. The Washington Treaty and the passing of the 15th Amendment were huge stepping stones in American civilization. But because of all of the scandals that occurred during the Presidency, Grant was only an average president, and therefore deserves a C.
Ulysses Grant
Born: April 27, 1822
Died: July 23, 1885
Political Party: Republican
Terms in Office: 1869-1877
Vice President: Schuyler Colfax- 1868-1873
Henry Wilson-(1873-1875)
No Vice President (1875-1877)
Ulysses Grant had plenty of notable accomplishments, as well as failures. To name a few, the Treaty of Washington in 1871, the Resumption of Specie Act in 1875, and the enforcement of Civil Rights of African Americans in reconstruction states. However during Grant's presidency, his administration suffered from scandals caused by many corruptions, and from the ruined economy during the Panic of 1873. For these reasons, Grant deserves a C for his terms as President.
Grant's goals as President were to establish civil rights for all Americans, especially African Americans. Grant wanted to make sure that the federal government protect the newly freed slaves, and prevent former Confederates from regaining power in the South. In addition, he wanted to help the Republican party survive in the South, which was unreachable without black votes. He wanted to meet the needs of newly freed slaves, and at the same time wanted to get the South back into the Union and the Republican party. However, he had severe difficulty in achieving these goals. Many Americans rejected civil rights for blacks. Although the Union supported abolishing slavery in the war, they still didn't see blacks as equals. If he used federal troops to defend the rights of blacks, whites got mad stating he was violating states' rights. However, that went against his personal goals to abandon the freed slaves and Republican party in the South. In other words, he was in a no win situation.
Grant had a decent relationship with Congress during his Presidency. Grant believed in the Jacksonian Democracy, which means that he didn't see the need for a stronger executive branch, but rather relied on state governments and Congress. After the Panic of 1873, Congress passed the Inflation Bill in 1874. This bill would give $100,000,000 to the nation's money supply. Grant unexpectedly vetoed the bill saying it would destroy credit of the nation. In total, Grant vetoed 93 bills, 4 of which were overridden. The house and the senate had a majority of Republicans until the 45th Congress, the Democrats controlled the House. Overall, Grant had an okay relationship with Congress.
Grant's action with the most positive outcome had to the the Treaty of Washington in 1871. The main purpose of the treaty was to solve the damages done to merchants by three Confederate war ships which were made under the British. These ships had done a copious amount of damage to American merchant ships during the Civil War which caused relations between the U.S. and Great Britain to be severely strained. The treaty gave the United States $15,500,000, as well as ending a threat of war with the United Kingdom, settling the border dispute between the U.S. and Canada, and also settling border disputes over fishing rights in the North Pacific. Overall, the treaty showed countries that there were alternatives to through arbitration and international law.
Grant's action with the most negative outcome were all of the scandals that occurred during his Presidency. President Grant wasn't involved directly with the scandals, but some of the Congressman and Cabinet members that he appointed were involved. Grant would often attack when people would complain about his Congressman and Cabinet members. These people's complaints should have been taken into account considering the scandals that later occurred. Grant favored military associates from the war, over talented and experienced politicians. There were 11 scandals during Grant's two terms as President. One of the most important ones was the Credit Mobilier Scandal. This scandal occurred as a result of Congressman Aimes and McComb fighting. One of the main contributors to many of these scandals was Grant's personal secretary, Orville Babcock. Grant defended Babcock since they were friends, which caused many Americans to resent President Grant.
The decision made by Grant's administration that most influenced later American generations was the ratification of the 15th Amendment. During this time, this Amendment gave all men the right to vote no matter what race or religion they were. This amendment also caused more to talk about women getting the right to vote, which obviously occurred years later. Today, any U.S. citizen, no matter what race, male or female, may vote as long as they are 18 years of age or older. Seeing as this amendment still stands true today, one can see how this amendment strongly influenced America in years to come.
In conclusion, America was better off after Grant's Presidency. Although there were scandals, this was a lesson learned for future American Presidents to be cautions of who they pick as their Congressman and Cabinet members. The Washington Treaty and the passing of the 15th Amendment were huge stepping stones in American civilization. But because of all of the scandals that occurred during the Presidency, Grant was only an average president, and therefore deserves a C.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_S._Grant#Presidency_1869.E2.80.931877
http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/grant/essays/biography/4
www.senate.gov/reference/Legislation/Vetoes/Presidents/GrantU.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution